{"title":"Agate","description":"\u003cp\u003eAgate is a type of stone that is highly sought after in the decorative arts. \/technique\/lapidary\/Lapidary is the art of cutting and polishing stones, such as agate, to create beautiful pieces of art, \/technique\/mosaic\/mosaic, \/style\/pietra-dure\/inlay, pietra dure. Agate has been used in this way since Roman times, and its popularity has only grown since then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAgate is a type of quartz that is known for its banded patterns, which can range from light to dark. It is found in many different colors, such as pink, blue, and green. The stone is often used to make jewelry, \/antiques\/art-works\/european-sculpture\/sculptures, and other decorative items. Agate is also a popular choice for antique collectors, as it is often found in pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAgate is a timeless stone that has been used in decorative arts for centuries. Its unique banded patterns and vibrant colours make it a popular choice for lapidary art. Whether you are looking for a piece of antique agate or a \/style\/grand-tour\/grand tour object, agate is a great choice for any decorative art collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"shell-grotto-mirror","title":"Vintage Crystal and Shell Grotto Mirror","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage Crystal and Shell Grotto Mirror\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis extraordinary Vintage Crystal and Shell Grotto Mirror encapsulates the whimsical elegance of mid-20th-century decorative arts, expertly merging the romance of earlier periods with innovative, naturalistic ornamentation. Echoing the opulent shellwork of Victorian grottoes, its intricate design channels the spirit of seaside collecting and luxurious craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrigin: England\u003cbr\u003eDate: Circa 1950\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Shells, corals, stones, fossils, polished agate, and 19th-century giltwood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions: Height: 117 cm (46 ins) x Width: 79 cm (31 ins)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition: Excellent surface patina, some minor, sympathetic restoration commensurate with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMirrors in Grotto style, such as this example, are highly sought-after for their fascinating blend of natural elements and historical reference. Inspired by the 19th-century tradition of shell-encrusted furniture and objets d’art, this piece pairs the organic abundance of agate, amethyst, and coral with a robust giltwood frame salvaged from the Victorian period. Renowned institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum house similar specimens, valued both for their artistry and their ties to British decorative traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotable Features:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuperb craftsmanship: The mirror’s profuse decoration incorporates hand-applied shells, fossil fragments, lustrous agate, and semi-precious stones, showcasing meticulous skill and a unique, tactile surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStriking design: The frame’s sinuous, almost Rococo lines harmonise beautifully with bursts of natural texture, while the original 19th-century giltwood lends Regency grandeur to the composition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollector’s appeal: Its rare factory combination of historic materials and period provenance ensures exceptional desirability, making it a centrepiece for any collection focused on English Grotto mirrors, Victorian curiosities, or exceptional decorative objects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVersatile value: This statement piece is equally splendid as a focal point in an elegant drawing room, enchanting in a hallway, or as part of a curated display of natural history artefacts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its remarkable fusion of materials and time periods, the Vintage Crystal and Shell Grotto Mirror stands as a testament to enduring British taste and craftsmanship. Whether gracing your home or enriching a collection of antique mirrors, it promises both decorative impact and significant historical resonance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nwtiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51104586236241,"sku":null,"price":7500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0935\/5873\/5185\/files\/0W2A9966-1-1.webp?v=1747177958"},{"product_id":"north-italian-secretaire-attributed-to-giovanni-battista-maroni","title":"North Italian Secretaire, Attributed to Giovanni Battista Maroni","description":"\u003cp\u003eA North Italian Rosewood, Tulipwood, Amaranth, Ebonised and Parcel Gilt Hardstone Inlaid Secretaire, Attributed to Giovanni Battista Maroni, Milan, Late 18th Century.\u003cbr\u003eItaly, Circa 1780, 1790\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 163 cms (64.2 ins)\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 99 cms (39 ins)\u003cbr\u003eDepth : 45 cms (17.7 ins)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nwtiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51195260895569,"sku":"78687","price":30000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0935\/5873\/5185\/files\/background-editor_output_1eb1a1d5-908e-4629-8669-c9aaa7269130.png?v=1748599250"},{"product_id":"17th-century-italian-cabinet","title":"17th Century Italian Cabinet","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis 17th-century Italian Baroque cabinet, featuring an ebony and tortoiseshell exterior, opens to reveal an opulent interior of lapis lazuli, agate, and rock crystal inlays.\u003cbr\u003eItaly, Circa 1650\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 56 cms (22 ins)\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 65 cms (25.5 ins)\u003cbr\u003eDepth : 39 cms (15.3 ins)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exquisite 17th-century Italian Baroque hardstone cabinet exemplifies the opulence and craftsmanship of the Baroque period. Standing as a testament to Italian artisans’ mastery, the cabinet’s exterior, crafted from ebony and tortoiseshell, is elegantly austere, only hinting at the splendor within. Upon opening, it reveals an interior adorned with lavish inlays of blue lapis lazuli, agate, rock crystal, and intricate japanned detailing, forming vibrant mosaics and ornate decorative scenes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nwtiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51223835050321,"sku":"81086","price":58000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0935\/5873\/5185\/files\/background-editor_output_3e0d4bb1-7505-4e77-aef2-c7a613d0a22a.png?v=1749070104"},{"product_id":"two-piece-cutlery-with-agate-handles","title":"Two-piece cutlery with agate handles","description":"\u003cp\u003eA rare set of English early 18th century Queen Anne period personal facet cut agate handled cutlery with a steel knife blade and fork, mounted with silver ferrules, preserved in their original tooled leather carrying case.\u003cbr\u003eFrance, circa 1720\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLength: 21 cms (8.3 ins)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nwtiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51227193114961,"sku":"22034","price":3750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0935\/5873\/5185\/files\/background-editor_output_0aa1583e-c999-4629-a247-41483b016de6.png?v=1749152576"},{"product_id":"ottoman-hardstone-and-gilt-tombak-casket","title":"Ottoman Hardstone And Gilt Tombak Casket","description":"\u003cp\u003e18th \/ 19th Century Ottoman polished hardstone and aventurine casket.\u003cbr\u003eOttoman Empire, Circa 1740\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight : 6 cms (2.2 ins)\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 11 cms (4.3 ins)\u003cbr\u003eDepth: 8 cms (3.2 ins)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nwtiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51242127688017,"sku":"77062","price":9500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0935\/5873\/5185\/files\/background-editor_output_a52bf27c-dbb5-4af6-b1d3-8d8410515545.png?v=1749505744"},{"product_id":"agate-specimen","title":"Agate Specimen","description":"\u003cp\u003eAgate Specimen | Works of Art — Gemstones\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA striking example of natural elegance, this agate specimen dates from the modern period and embodies the timeless appeal of gemstones as decorative works of art. The piece highlights Brazil’s renowned geology, celebrated for producing some of the world’s most beautiful and intricate agate forms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrigin: Brazil\u003cbr\u003eDate: Contemporary\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Polished agate, mounted on a bespoke metal stand\u003cbr\u003eDimensions: Height: 22 cm (8.5 in), Width: 33 cm (13 in), Depth: 6 cm (2.5 in)\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Excellent presentation, no visible flaws\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis agate specimen stands as a testament to nature’s artistry, its undulating crystalline bands and unique inclusions recalling prized examples found in both private collections and notable museum displays. The contemporary mounting offers a nod to museum standards, ensuring the gemstone slice is shown to maximum effect while remaining secure and easily displayed in a modern interior. Specimens such as this are highly sought after for their vibrant translucency and arresting internal structures, echoing historic fascination with semi-precious stone objects throughout the ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotable Features:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuperb craftsmanship evident in the careful polishing and the precision of the pierced centre, which reveals the stone’s inner crystalline architecture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDistinguished by translucent banding and dramatic circular dark inclusions along the edge, enhancing its visual interest and rarity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounted on a custom-made metal stand, designed to both protect and highlight the agate’s natural qualities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExemplifies the contemporary appreciation for natural stones used as decorative objects, bridging geological interest with artistic merit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollectors will appreciate the rarity and scale of this agate specimen, along with its striking patterns and the dramatic visual contrast offered by the inclusions. Its bespoke stand ensures both safe handling and optimal display, making it ideally suited for a mantelpiece, desk, or as a focal point within a wider collection of gemstones. Whether for personal delight or as a statement work of art in the home or office, this Brazilian agate offers both aesthetic appeal and investment value, making it a highly desirable addition to any serious gemstone or works of art collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Collection CK10","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51287565238609,"sku":"600","price":900.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0935\/5873\/5185\/files\/agate-slice-600-2.webp?v=1750347866"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0935\/5873\/5185\/collections\/1000046672.webp?v=1749882281","url":"https:\/\/nwtiques.com\/collections\/agate.oembed","provider":"Nicholas Wells Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}